Principal Commercial Officer

Babcock; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organisation in the defence sector seeks a Principal Commercial Officer to join their team in Stevenage. This permanent position offers the opportunity to manage the full lifecycle of commercial activities, from securing new contracts to ensuring successful delivery. Ideal candidates will have strong negotiation skills, extensive contract management experience, and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders. Security clearance is a requirement for applicants.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing complex, high-value contracts.
• Strong influencing skills and team-oriented behaviours.
• Understanding of contract law and its practical application.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations and manage contract delivery.
• Engage stakeholders and build relationships.
• Drive business winning strategies and bid proposals.

Skills

Advanced negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Contract management

Process and change management

Communication

Tools

SAP

Job description

Principal Commercial Officer – Defence Sector
Location: Stevenage (Hybrid)
Salary: Up to £50,000 + Annual Bonus

Electus Recruitment Solutions is proud to be partnering with a leading organisation at the forefront of delivering crucial Defence Capability to the UK Armed Forces and other customers. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Commercial Officer to join their active, involved, and motivated team, focusing on the early product lifecycle, research, and technology.

This role offers a unique chance to be a key player in high-impact projects, contributing directly to the success of defence programmes.

The Challenge:

As a Principal Commercial Officer, you will be instrumental in the full lifecycle of commercial activities, from winning new business to ensuring successful contract delivery. This will involve:

• Business Winning: Playing a pivotal role in securing new contracts, agreements, and opportunities, supporting the entire route to achieving a contract. This includes driving the bidding process, collaborating cross-functionally to gather essential inputs, and generating compelling proposals that maximise business interests.
• Contract Delivery: Becoming a vital part of the delivery chain, ensuring commitments to customers are met. This encompasses comprehensive contract management, proactive change management, astute problem-solving, and efficient administration.
• Negotiations: Taking the lead in negotiations, securing acceptance and agreement on complex issues and amendments to ensure contractual compliance within agreed parameters.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Building and nurturing strong relationships with new and existing customers and industry partners, fostering a collaborative environment. You will be the primary interface with both internal and external stakeholders, communicating effectively at all levels, including reporting progress to senior management on your portfolio of work.
• Strategic Representation: Representing the commercial team in progress reviews, critical discussions, and customer meetings.
• Operational Excellence: Working effectively under pressure to meet crucial deadlines, alongside day-to-day administration and maintenance of Commercial Information Systems, promoting best practice and functional excellence.

What we are looking for:

The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of commercial acumen and interpersonal skills, demonstrating:

• Advanced negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in process and change management.
• Proven experience in managing complex, high-value contracts.
• Effective team behaviours, including strong influencing and team working abilities.
• Extensive experience across a broad range of commercial issues and skills, encompassing contract management throughout the entire contract lifecycle.
• A comprehensive commercial understanding from customer engagement through to supplier relationships.
• Awareness and practical applicability of Intellectual Property and its protection.
• A robust understanding of contract law and its practical application.
• The ability to draft or modify terms and conditions effectively.
• Understanding of liabilities and the ability to mitigate risk.
• Awareness of Import and Export restrictions and licensing requirements.
• Competency in understanding and utilising pricing and costing models.
• Good knowledge of IT and business tools, including SAP.

Important Security Clearance Information:

Due to the nature of work undertaken at our client's site, incumbents of these positions are required to meet specific nationality rules. These vacancies are only open to British Citizens, and dual nationals with British Citizenship can be considered. Applicants who meet this criterion will be required to undergo security clearance vetting if not already security cleared. Only apply for this role if you currently hold the specific Government Security Clearance or are eligible for Government Security Clearance.

This is a permanent position offering a compelling opportunity to contribute to vital national defence capabilities.

Keywords: Contract Delivery, Negotiation, Stakeholder Management, Commercial Awareness, Contract Law, Import and Export, Licensing Requirements, Pricing and Costing Models.